fort dodge correctional facility mpox Fort Dodge Correctional Facility in Iowa is grappling with a significant mpox outbreak, adding to its troubled history. The current situation involves multiple cases of the disease, though the exact number of infections remains unclear. The prison, which houses approximately 2,000 inmates, is taking urgent steps to manage the crisis.
Iowa Department of Corrections Chief of Staff Paul Cornelius has assured the public that affected individuals are receiving medical care, and enhanced sanitation and isolation measures have been implemented to curb further spread. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, can cause flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. The disease has been declared an international public health emergency following recent outbreaks in Central Africa, and it is estimated to have a mortality rate of about 1.7%. However, the variant prevalent in the West, known as clade 2, boasts a survival rate of 99.9%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that mpox is transmitted through close contact, including intimate or sexual interactions, as well as contact with contaminated materials. This underscores the importance of strict infection control measures in preventing its spread within confined environments like prisons.
The Fort Dodge facility has been no stranger to health crises. It previously faced a severe COVID-19 outbreak, which heightened concerns among inmates about their safety. Inmate Talon Ladd, reflecting on that period, expressed his fear of being in a potentially lethal situation due to the inadequate handling of the outbreak. “People are dying. Like, it’s only a matter of time? They did this to us,” Ladd told KCRG. “We weren’t coming in and out of the prison and exposing ourselves. We didn’t have a choice.”
Adding to the facility’s notorious reputation, the prison was also embroiled in a disturbing 2021 incident. In a case that shocked many, a prison officer testified in court about discovering a body hidden under a pile of laundry in a cell, further tainting the facility’s image.
As the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility battles this latest health crisis, authorities are working diligently to manage the outbreak and mitigate the risk to both inmates and staff. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing updates are expected as the facility continues to address the mpox cases and prevent further spread.
